Piano action



Dec. 4, 1951 w. s. FINHOLM 2,577,573

PIANO ACTION Filed June 19, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet l '1'" W m: uumnnnn 7 N M Q INVENTQR MAL/AM S. F/A/HOLM BY g %0 ATTORNEYS Dec. 4, 195] w, s, FINHOLM 2,577,573

PIANO ACTION Filed June 19, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 l ENTOR M4444; .F/A/HOLM ATTO R N EYS Dec. 4, 195] w, s, FINHOLM 2,577,573

PIANO ACTION Filed June 19, 1945 s sh ets-sheet s F1235. FIG.6

- 104 INVENTOR l /4 L/AM 5. FM/fi/OLM 05 ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 4, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIANO ACTION William S. Finholm, New York, N. Y.

Application June 19, 1945, Serial No. 600,316

13 Claims. (Cl. 84240) This invention relates to improvements in piano actions and more particularly it pertains to piano actions of the upright spinet type.

Upright pianos of the spinet or miniature type with which I am familiar have the actions thereof disposed below the level of the keyboard. Such construction has isolated the wippen of the hammer-actuating mechanism from the key and various means have been devised for effecting an operative connection therebetween. However, such connections have been in the form of wire or rods which necessitate added cushion contacts which destroy expression on fortissimo due to such cushion giving way before the hammer gets into motion when a heavy strike is imparted to the keyboard. One of the features of this invention is to provide a novel connection between the key and the wippen of the hammer-actuatin mechanism which overcomes the objections aforesaid.

Another broader feature of my invention is to construct a piano action which overcomes the many inaccuracies which now prevail in the socalled upright spinet piano. Such inaccuracies have occurred by reason of the liberties taken by designers of the small or miniature piano in deviating from the highly perfected standard upright piano, and which has resulted in unresponsive qualities of touch and tone. In other words, while many attempts have heretofore been made to meet the public demand for practical small spinet type piano, it has only resulted in producing complicated constructions, difficult installations, unsatisfactory arrangement of parts, as well as inaccessibility for regulation and service. Most serious has been the fact that the prior construction of small spinet type pianos has rendered the instrument insensitive to the musicians effort to control tone, for a student usually buys an inexpensive miniature instrument to be- .gin his studies and is prevented from the start from developing touch and tone.

Another feature of the invention resides in a miniature or spinet type of piano in which the main action may be raised or lowered to correct striking line without effecting regulation; to provide simplicity and accessibility for regulation, assembly, repair and service, and to make for compact case construction, and many other novel features which will be apparent as the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional View with parts in elevation of an upright piano action constructed in accordance with my invention, the parts being shown in normal position of rest.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 illustrating the parts in position with the striking key depressed and the hammer in back-check position after having struck the string.

Figure 3 is a detail side elevational view of a modified construction of kick action between the leg of the key and the wippen.

Figure 4 is another modified construction of kick action between the leg of the key and the wippen.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional side elevational view of an adjustment means between the key and its kicking leg; said means being a modification of the key and leg shown in Figure 1, but capable of being used with the combination shown in the latter figure.

Figures 6, '7 and 8 are views similar to Figure 5 illustrating additional adjustable modified forms of key and kicking leg connections.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevational View of a modified form of back check.

Figure 10 is a vertical transverse sectional view with parts in side elevation of a modified form of drop-kick action, the parts being shown in normal position of rest.

Figure 11 is a detail side elevational view with parts in section of an adjustable means for counterbalancing a hammer butt.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters and at present to the embodiment of my invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the numeral l0 designates a standard upright piano action which includes broadly a hammer II, a fly i2, and a wippen i3. It is obvious to those familiar with the construction and operation of pianos, that the wippen i3 is actuated by the key and its operation causes the fly or actuating element [2 to impart a force to the hammer II to cause the same to strike the vertical string i l. Therefore, it is not believed necessary to describe all of the various elements which make up a standard action and only those elements which are essential to the invention about to be described will be described in detail.

The action I0 is of the type known as a .drop

3 action for use in spinet or miniature type of pianos and is mounted below the level of the keyboard I5 rearwardly thereof. The keyboard I5 extends the length of the piano and the frame I6 thereof supports the standard number of keys Il, each of which when struck operates its related action I0. My invention about to be described embodies the feature of providing a novel drop kick action between the key I1 and the wippen I3 of the action I0, so that when the key I? is struck the hammer II will strike the string I4 through the action of the intermediate elements, namely, the wippen I3 and fly I2 and enable the hammer to return to a temporary back check position of rest.

The wippen I3 has its rear end pivoted at I8 to a flange I9 fixed to the rail as by screws I9, while the underside of its forward end is provided with a felt cushion 2| which normally rests upon a capstan screw 22 threaded in a rail 23. The screw 22 facilitates adjustment of the position of the fiy I2 beneath the butt 24 of the hammer II.

The hammer II includes a butt 24 pivoted at to a flange 25 fixedly mounted on the rail '29. A shank 23 extends from the butt 24 and has the striking hammer head 2'5 fixed to the free end thereof. Normally the shank 25 of the hammer rests against the hammer rail 21.

Each key member I? is relatively short and has its rear end pivoted upon a key balancing pin 28 while its front end is guided by a front pin 29. The pins 28 and 29 rise upwardly from the key frame I6 and serve to pivot and guide the key for rocking movement. Fixedly secured to the rear end of the key I! and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom is a leg 30, the lower free end of which terminates above, forward and adjacent the front end of the wippen I3. The key I1 and leg constitute a key unit which may be lifted free of the pins 28 and 29 when it is desired to repair the same or reach the lower parts of the action I0 for adjustment purposes. The leg 30 extends from the key N at an angle greater than a right angle and normally rests upon a cushion stop 3I carried by the rear face of a rail 32 fixed to and depending from the key frame I6. The lower free end of the leg 39 is in the path of a rigid wire or rod 33 which is carried by the forward portion of the wippen I3 and which extends upwardly and forwardly thereof.

Actuation of the key 11 is adapted to impart a rearward kicking action to the leg 30, which action is imparted from the leg to wippen I3 through the medium of the rod or presser member 33. To relieve friction and shock between the leg 39 and rod 33, I provide an intermediate felt covered roller 34 between these parts. The roller 34 is rotatably mounted upon the head end of a screw 35 which is threaded through the 7 free end of the leg. The screw 35 may be turned to facilitate adjustment between the leg and the rod 33 due to wear between these parts.

The back check mechanism is carried by the leg 39 and hammer butt 24 and includes a back check 35 carried 'by a rigid wire v3'I fixed to the leg 33 and extending in a forwardly and downwardly direction. Engageable with the back check 36 is a back check engaging member 38 carried by the butt 24 and extending forwardly therefrom and disposed in the path of the back check 33. With the leg 30 in kicking position, the back check 36 is moved rearwardly and is engaged by the member 38 upon the return of 4 the hammer II after striking the string I4. When pressure upon the key N is released, the key drops to normal position at which time the leg 33 seats against the cushion stop 3 I, and. the various moving parts of the action, namely, the hammer I I, fly I2, and wippen I3 likewise return to normal position. The force acting upon the parts of the action to return to normal position also acts upon the leg 39 through the medium of the engaging roller 34 and rod 33, such force acting to forcibly return the key I! to normal position of rest.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood that a force is applied to the wippen I3 eccentrically with respect to its pivotal axis and to the pivotal points of the other pivoted elements, and also, to the direction of the resisting forces of the action as distinguished from a tangentially applied force. In other words, a kicking rather than a lifting action is applied to the wippen upon the actuation of the key. Also, the roller 34 and rod 33 permit of the vertical adjustment of the action without rendering these parts inoperable.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated a modified form of engaging elements between the kicking leg 30a and the wippen I3a. Rising from the free forward end of the wippen I3a is an arm 33a which has its free upper end bowed forwardly as at 40. The convex side of the bowed portion 40 is engaged by the felt head 4| of a screw '42 which is threaded through the leg 30a. Friction between the kicking leg 30a and rod 33a is reduced by the head 4I engaging the curved surface of the bowed portion 49, and any adjustment for wear may :be taken up by turning of the screw 42. Also, in this form of the invention, the back check 36a is carried by. the forward end of the wippen I3a which is engaged by the back check engaging member 38 carried by the hammer.

In Figure 4 I have illustrated a further modified means for 'operatively associating the wippen with the kicking leg of the key, wherein 59 designates a fragmentary portion of the wippen having a vertical shoulder 5I and a forwardly extending portion 52-. Pivoted at 53 to the extension portion 52 is a lever 54, the upper end of which carries a roller 55 which rides against a felt pad 55 carried by the lower end of a key actuated kicking leg 57. The lever 54 is limited in its inward swinging movement by adjustable stop means which comprises ascrew 58 threaded through the lever, the rear end of the screw having a cushion head 59 in constant abutting relation with the shoulder 5|. In operation, the leg 5? swings forward in the direction of the arrow upon striking of the key which imparts a kicking force to the lever 54 which imparts an upward movement to the front end of the wippen 53. Any wear between the roller 55 and pad 516 may be compens'a-ted for by adjusting the screw 58. The lever 59 is provided with a slot 63 for the passage of the conventional hammer strap '64, one end of which is anchored to an upstanding post 62 carried by the extension portion 52 of the wippen 50.

In Figure 5 'I have illustrated a means for adjustably-connecting the kicking leg 65 with the freely pivoted actuating key '33. The adjustable connecting means includes a flange 67 fixed to the rear end of the key -66 as at B8. The flange '31 extends beyond the rear end of the key and has the upper end of the leg 65 pivoted thereto as'a-t 69. From the description thus far it will be understood that the kicking leg 35 is pivotally -pushing against the head of the screw 92.

connected to the key 66 through the medium of the flange 61, but such pivotal connection alone is not suiiicient to impart a kicking force to the leg 65 upon actuation of the key 66. Therefore, I provide an adjustable stop connection between the key and the leg, which includes a shoulder I extending forwardly from the leg below the level of the rear end of the key 66. Engageable with the shoulder I0 is the cushioned head II of an adjusting screw I2 threaded through the rear end of the key 66. .By turning the screw I2, the relative angle between the key and the leg may be adjusted. Also, the screw 12 acts as an adjusting means for the key I56 to facilitate adjustment of the key level. The manipulating end of the screw 12 extends above the key 06 so as to be readily accessible for manipulation when adjustment is desired. When the key 66 is actuated, the screw 72 through its cushioned head II and shoulder 10 imparts a kicking force to the pivoted leg 65 to in turn actuate the wippen in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 6 illustrates a modified form of adjustable pivotal connection between the leg 65 and the key 6% and corresponding parts therein are identified by like reference characters. In this form, the rear end of the key 66 has a fixed downwardly and rearwardly extending arm 13 which has an adjusting screw 14 threaded therethrough. The rear end of the screw carries a cushioned head I5 which has constant engagement with the kicking leg 65. By turning the screw M from its front manipulative end, the angularity of the leg 65 may be adjusted relative to the actuating key 06 to compensate for wear between the correlated parts.

Figure '7 illustrates a further modified form of compensating adjusting means between the key I6 and the kicking leg I1. The leg member I1 is substantially L-shaped and the shorter arm '18 thereof has its free end pivoted at 19 to a flange 00 carried by a rail 8|. The rear end of the key It is provided with an upwardly extended rounded hump 82 which is in constant engagement with the head 83 of an adjusting screw 84, the latter being threaded through the arm I8.

'The lower end of the leg member I! is forked and rotatably supports a roller 85. In operation,

the rear end of the key I6 rises when struck caus- 'ing the hump 82 to lift the screw 84 upwardly,

which in turn imparts a lifting swinging action to the arm I0 causing the leg member I! to impart a kicking force to the wippen of the action to be operated. Any adjustment for wear between the key and the kicking leg may be compensated for by turning the upper end of the screw 84 which is disposed within reach of a piano tuner or piano repair man.

Figure 8 illustrates a further modified form of adjustable connection between the key 86 and the kicking leg 01 which is pivoted at 83 to a flange 89 fixed to and in co-extensive relation to the key. The rear end of the key below the flange 80 is cut away to provide a shoulder 90 which is cushioned and is engaged by the cushioned head 0| of an adjusting screw 92 threaded transversely through the leg 81. In operation, the upward movement of the rear end of the key causes the shoulder 90 to impart a rearward kicking force to the pivoted leg 81 by Any adjustment for wear between the key and leg -may be compensated for by turning of the screw 6 in which an adjusting screw 36' is threaded through the kicking leg 30. The rear end of the screw carries a cushion head 36a which is engaged by the back check engaging member 38 when the hammer returns after a string-striking operation. Any wear between the back check screw 36' and the engaging member 38 may be compensated for by grasping and turning the forward end of the screw which is in reach of the hand of a piano repair man.

Figure 10 illustrates my invention as applied to a more modern action I00 which includes a string IOI, a hammer I02 for striking the string, a substantially horizontally disposed fly I03 for actuating the hammer I02, and a substantially vertical wippen I04. The lower end of the wippen I04 is pivoted at I05 to a flange I06 carried by a rail I07 and the intermediate portion thereof is connected to the fly by a flange I08. The upper free end of the wippen I04 extends above the fly I03 and has a forwardly extending bearing I09 in which a roller H0 is mounted. The roller IIO has constant engagement with a felt pad III carried by the rear face of a depending key-actuated kicking leg II2. When the leg H2 is kicked rearwardly it imparts through the pad III and roller III) a kicking force to the upper free end of the wippen I04, which force actuates the fly I03 causing the same to actuate the hammer I02 which strikes the string IOI. The hammer I02 is back checked by a back check member II3 carried by the free end of the wippen I04 and which is engaged by a back check engaging member II4 carried by the shank of the hammer I02.

Figure 11 illustrates a means for counterbalancing the hammer and which means is within reach for adjustment as and when necessary. The butt of the hammer is designated 24' having a pivotal axis 25'. Extending inwardly and downwardly from the front portion of the butt forwardly of the pivotal axis 25' is a threaded recess II5 into which a weight screw H6 is threaded. The outer end of the screw IIS has a kerf II! for accommodating a screw driver when it is desired to turn the screw inward or outward for counterbalancing purposes. This counterbalance feature may be embodied in the hammer II hereinbefore described.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes in construction and design as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what .I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In an upright piano action, a wippen, a hammer above the wippen, a keyboard having a key pivotally mounted thereon above and forward of the wippen, an actuating element for the hammer in operative relation to the wippen and extending upward therefrom, and means operable by said key and fixed thereon for imparting a kicking force to said wippen, said means comprising a member extending upward from the wippen, and disconnected from the first means.

2. In an upright piano action, a wippen, a hammer above the wippen, a keyboard having a key pivotally mounted thereon above and forward of the wippen, a leg carried bysaid key and depending therefrom, an actuating element for the hammer in operative relation to the wippen and extending upward therefrom, means on said wippen and means fixed on said leg and'operable thereby for imparting a kicking force to the wippen upon operation of said key, said means comprising a member extending upward from the wippen, and disconnected from the first means.

3. In an upright piano action, a pivoted wippen, a hammer above the wippen, a keyboard having a key pivotally mounted thereon above and forward of the wippen, an actuating element for the hammer in operative relation to the Wippen and extending upward therefrom, and means operable by said key and fixed thereon for imparting a kicking force to said wippen in a direction eccentric to the pivotal axis of the wippen, said means comprising a member extending upward from the wippen, and disconnected from the first means.

4. In an upright piano action, a wippen, a hammer above the wippen, a keyboard having a key pivotally mounted thereon above and forward of the wippen, a leg carried by said key and depending therefrom, an actuating element for the hammer in operative relation to the wippen and extending upward therefrom, means extending upward from said wippen and disposed eccentric to the pivotal axis thereof in the path of movement of the leg for imparting a kicking force to the wippen upon operation of said key, and anti-friction means between the leg and the aforesaid means.

5. In an upright piano action, a wippen, a hammer above the wippen, a keyboard having a key pivotally mounted thereon above and forward of the wippen, a leg carried by said key and depending therefrom, an actuating element for the hammer in operative relation to the wippen and extending upward therefrom, means extending upward from said wippen and disposed eccentric to the pivotal axis thereof in the path of movement of the leg for imparting a kicking force to the wippen upon operation of said key,

and anti-friction slidable contact means between the leg and the aforesaid means.

6. In an upright piano action, a keyboard having a pivotal key, a pivoted wippen disposed below the level of the key, a hammer above the wippen, a presser member carried by and extending from said wippen, an actuating element for the hammer in operative relation to the wippen and extending upward therefrom, a leg carried by said key and movable into the path of the presser member upon actuation of said key to impart an operating kicking force to the wippen, and anti-friction roller means between the presser member and leg.

'7. In an upright piano action, a keyboard having a pivoted key, a leg carried by said key and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a hammer, mechanism for actuating said hammer upon operation of said key including a pivoted wippen disposed below the level of the key, means on said wippen engageable by said leg for imparting a kicking force to the wippen upon operation-of said key, and back check members carried by said hammer and said leg and engageable for checking the return of the hammer after each operation of said mechanism.

8. In an upright piano action, a wippen, a keyboard having a key pivotally mounted thereon above and forward of said wippen, a leg carried by said key and depending at an angle thereto,

means for adjusting the angularity of the leg with respect to the key, and contacting elements carried by the leg and wippen for imparting a kicking force to the wippen upon operation of said key.

9. In an upright piano action as set forth in claim 7 in which one of the back check members is adjustable toward and away from the other to compensate for wear therebetween.

10. In an upright piano action, a keyboard having a pivoted key, a leg carried by the rear end of the key and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a pivoted wippen disposed rearwardly and adjacent the free lower end of said leg, a straight presser member carried by said wippen and rising upwardly therefrom, and a roller carried by the free end of the leg and disposed in rolling sliding contact with said presser member whereby operation of the key will cause a kicking force to be imparted to said wippen by sliding contacting engagement of the roller and presser member.

11. In an upright piano action, a keyboard having a pivoted key, a leg carried by the rear end of the key and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom with the lower end free, a pivoted wippen disposed rearwardly and adjacent the free lower end of said leg, and a roller associated with said wippen and said leg and carried by one of said parts, the other having a fiat straight surf-ace provided on said leg above the wippen with which the roller has sliding contact whereby operation of the key will cause a kicking force to be imparted'to said wippen by sliding contacting engagement of the roller and flat contacting surface.

12. In an upright piano, in combination, a freely pivoted actuating key, a wippen, a leg member pivotally connected to the inner end of the key and depending therefrom with its lower end in kicking, relation with said wippen, and means for adjusting the angularity of the leg member relative to the key and for effecting a balance of the key to facilitate key level adjustment.

13. In a piano a combination of a hammer, a wippen below the hammer, a keyboard having a key pivotally mounted thereon forward of said hammer, an actuating element in operative relation to the wippen and extending upward toward the hammer, a leg carried by the key and depending therefrom, and a member extending upward from the wippen between the leg and said element and disconnected from said leg to actuate the wippen.

WILLIAM S. .FINHOLM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,082,548 ,Pape June 1, 1937 2,096,478 Bond Oct. 19, 1937 2,123,526 Davidson July 12, 1938 2,195,624 Huse'by Apr. 2, 1940 2,226,877 Schulze Dec. 31, 19%0 2,239,204 Socin Apr. 22, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 461,445 Great Britain Feb. 17, 1937 468,767 Great Britain July '5, 1.937 477,242 Great Britain Dec. '24, 1937 526,651 Great Britain Sept. 23, 1939 593,471 Germany Mar. 2, 1934 

